Essential Fall Lawn Care for a Thriving Spring Garden

Prepare your lawn and garden bed this fall to ensure a healthy and vibrant spring. From fertilizing and treating bald spots to winterizing garden beds, follow expert advice to give your outdoor space the best chance for success.

Fall might be the season to pack up the lawn equipment, but it's also a crucial time to prepare your lawn and garden bed for spring. Lawn care experts emphasize the importance of fall lawn care to strengthen grass roots and provide a solid foundation for spring growth.

Fertilize your lawn in late fall, about three weeks before the first deep freeze. This step nourishes and strengthens grass roots, fostering a thicker and greener lawn in the spring. For established lawns, use Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard. For newly seeded lawns, consider Scotts Winter Survival Fertilizer.

Essential Fall Lawn Care for a Thriving Spring Garden

Suppress winter weed growth before it becomes an issue in the spring by applying a pre-emergent herbicide. Scotts Crabgrass and Grassy Weed Preventer effectively prevents the emergence of over 46 broadleaf weed and grass species.

Fall is the perfect time to address bare spots in your lawn, as reduced foot traffic allows for better seed germination. Sunday Bare Repair Sun and Shade Grass Seed Spot Treatment combines grass seed, nitrogen, and moisture-holding mulch to thicken thin spots and promote growth.

Essential Fall Lawn Care for a Thriving Spring Garden

Aerating your lawn allows it to breathe and absorb nutrients and water more effectively. Try a manual aerator for smaller areas or the Agri-Fab 16-inch push spike aerator for larger lawns.

Add compost to your garden beds to enhance nutrient levels for plants and vegetables. This organic soil mix contains natural and organic ingredients, enriching the soil and improving plant growth.

Essential Fall Lawn Care for a Thriving Spring Garden

Mulches help maintain soil moisture and temperature, providing insulation for plants during the winter months. Choose organic mulches such as grass clippings, straw, or bark chips, or try the black mulch from Walmart.

Contrary to popular belief, fallen leaves can deprive your lawn of sunlight and nutrients. Prevent malnourishment by regularly raking your lawn to keep it debris-free and healthy.

Essential Fall Lawn Care for a Thriving Spring Garden

Extreme cold can damage plants, so have protective measures in place. Plant covers from Amazon or fabric jackets from Home Depot provide effective freeze protection, safeguarding shrubs and other vulnerable greenery.

* Clean out garden beds by removing old plants and weeds.

Essential Fall Lawn Care for a Thriving Spring Garden

* Divide and pot up perennials that need protection from the cold.

* Mulch around plants to protect roots from freezing temperatures.

Essential Fall Lawn Care for a Thriving Spring Garden

* Bring tender plants indoors before the first frost.

* Water deeply before the ground freezes to ensure adequate moisture for plant roots.

Essential Fall Lawn Care for a Thriving Spring Garden